Mournful fans bid farewell to Amy Winehouse

Grief-stricken fans have flocked to Amy Winehouse's north London flat to pay tribute to the singer, who was found dead at her home on Saturday, aged 27. They lit candles and laid flowers, notes and memorabilia on the pavement.

AFP - Grief-stricken fans flocked Sunday outside Amy Winehouse's home in a posh London square to place flowers and tributes after the shock death of the troubled British singer.

Soon after the 27-year-old songstress's death was announced Saturday, they started gathering in Camden Square, north London, to bid farewell to a star whose songs often reflected her tempestuous lifestyle.

Comforting one other, they lit candles and left flowers, notes, guitars, teddy bears and photographs of the singer as police officers stood guard at a cordon.

"Amy, we will miss your great talent. RIP," read one note left in a bunch of flowers.

"Dearest Amy, I'm glad you made it home. Love and light to you, princess," read another tied to a feather.

"Amy, you will not be forgotten by Camden -- we all love you and will continue to love you. Your legend lives on," read another note with nine signatories.

Shamini, a 25-year-old accountant and a Winehouse fan, told AFP: "It was very, very shocking considering the fact that she was such a talented singer.

"It's such a young age, and, it's unbelievable, it's unbelievable. It's almost like when Michael Jackson died."

Maeve, a 13-year-old schoolgirl, said: "She was really big, she was really talented and she was such an amazing performer and she was a great person to look up to as a singer."

A well-wisher left flowers at the Camden Square roadsign between the railings and the "Police line -- do not cross" tape.

Ron Brand, the father of British comedian-actor Russell Brand, who had known Winehouse, said: "It's a tragic loss. She was beautiful, talented of course, and gentle. I loved her."

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Local restaurant owner Ze Silva, 56, said Winehouse would come in as often as twice a week. She saw her last Tuesday and said she had stopped drinking.

"She had nothing to drink. She said to me 'Darling, don't give me any alcohol, I'm not drinking any more', Silva said.

"She was normal. She would speak to everyone, have pictures taken with the kids, give autographs to the kids.

"She was a good girl. I'm very sad."

Winehouse would go to the restaurant with her bodyguards and would send them to get her takeaway fried breakfasts.